SOMERSET RARE PLANTS GROUP

2009 Newsletter Issue No.10 Editor: Caroline Giddens December 2009

Another year gone by and it is time for our Newsletter once more. We hope you will enjoy reading about the meetings which have taken place during the year and that the reports will bring back happy memories if you were able to be present or bring you up to date with our findings if you were not able to come along. Again we would urge you to look at the excellent Website prepared by Christine Loudon, the site address is: http://www.somersetrareplantsgroup.org.uk. It includes details of activities past and present, links to other useful sites, current programmes and much more. Helena Crouch is also to be congratulated on the steady work she is putting in on the Rare Plants Register. .

REPORTS OF MEETINGS, 2009. ______

The AGM Sat. 10 th January, 2009. A shared lunch was enjoyed by all and this was followed by a raffle and then a Natural History The AGM was held in the Village Hall at Quiz in which our knowledge of other branches of Shapwick and twenty people attended. nature, ranging from slugs to crested newts, as The financial officer reported that there was well as plants was tested. Following the brain­ £442 in hand in December (which had risen to stretching we enjoyed looking at digital photos as £546 in January). well as slides shown by various members. The main item for discussion was the level of Jeanne Webb subscription in view of the fact that extra costs have to be incurred with the hiring of Indoor Meeting Sat. 7 th March, 2009. accommodation for winter meetings. It was thought unfair that effectively there is a two­tier About a dozen members gathered at Shapwick subscription rate as those who do attend the Village Hall for the final indoor meeting of the winter meetings have to finance the hall hire as winter season. This proved to be a most well as pay the £5 subscription which could then interesting day which commenced with Simon total £14 annually. It was agreed in principal to Leach giving an illustrated talk about his recent raise the annual amount for everyone and two studies of ‘Phenology’. This proved to be figures were suggested: £8 and £10. History was comparisons of the average flowering times of made as the matter was decided by a vote! It was plants in the Taunton area in which his own agreed that the annual subscription should be £8. observations over three years were compared with Steve mentioned that there is a possibility of a those in a paper published in 1947 by venue for next winter as Natural England are W.H.Watson. There were many charts, opening a study room at a site on The Levels illustrations and tables illustrating the various which might be available for SRPG use. ways of making comparisons, but the overall Christine Loudon was thanked for her work on trend seems to be that most plants are occurring the website and she asked for more photographs about two weeks earlier. It was interesting to of our activities. Next year’s programme was learn that a similar trend seems to be observed discussed and a number of areas for our attention with insects, which is essential for the pollination were listed. It was also suggested that we hold a of certain species. I wonder if this is a ‘chicken or weekend visit to Dorset, staying at Kingcombe egg’ situation – which happens first does the plant Environmental Study Centre, but for the purpose flower earlier or the insect emerge earlier? of recording plants on the Somerset side of the After a break for lunch, Helena Crouch gave an border. illustrated update on the work she is doing on the Paul Green has invited members to visit Somerset Rare Plant Register which ideally will Waterford, Ireland and it was suggested that we finally be published in both book and web form. accept and arrange this for next year 2010. Paul The list of plants considered for inclusion is 600 gave the group a copy of his new flora of and 30 of these had been written up – this clearly Waterford to auction for funds, Steve did this and shows that more help is required from members – £21 was added to coffers. it is a pity there were not a few more present at It was reported that both Pat Hill­Cottingham the meeting. and John Keylock had died and members expressed sadness at their loss. CJG

1 FIELD MEETINGS of Hypochaeris glabra (Smooth Cat's­ear). But Exmoor Fern Hunt our enthusiasm got the better of us and soon we Sunday 5 th April, 2009. were literally crawling around the garden of one The first meeting of the year is normally always of the huts. The owners seemed delighted to be well attended and so it proved to be this season. told about the wonderful rare species we were Meeting in the car park in Porlock we set off, finding. recording as we went. Although early in the year After lunch one of our members was taken ill there were a number of plants in good flower and with great speed and professional help he was including Caltha palustris (Marsh­marigold) helped by the Ambulance service. Our group along the stream and the white bells of Allium continued on to the top of the beach where it triquetrum (Three­cornered Garlic). Growing at borders the Minehead golf course. More small the base of a wall was a good stand of Fumaria insignificant plants are found here and not only capreolata (White Ramping­fumitory). We re­ did we have to crawl, we also had to dodge golf visited the location for Melittis melissophyllum balls and the shouts from angry golfers! We did (Bastard Balm), this plant was first visited by however record a number of interesting species SRPG in August 2000. In Hawk Combe we came including Vicia lathyroides (Spring Vetch) and across the first of our target species Dryopteris Crassula tillaea (Mossy Stonecrop). No sign aemula (Hay­scented Buckler­fern). This was could be found of Silene conica (Sand Catchfly) growing along the stream’s edge; working our but this was recorded later on in the season. way up the side of the Combe we counted a Our return route took us via the beach huts number of plants. Our goal here was where Trifolium suffocatum (Suffocated Clover) Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (Tunbridge Filmy­ was very frequent in the closely mown lawns. At fern), this was growing on a rock outcrop half­ the back of the beach is the wetland area known way up a the steep combe side. as the HAWN; recent management work had Retracing our steps, we climbed down one side opened up part of the wetland and a number of of Hawkcombe and up the other side. A brilliant small trees of Salix purpurea (Purple Willow) display of Cyclamen repandum (Spring were recorded. Sowbread) was our reward for the climb. This Stephen Parker plant had become well naturalised in what we presumed to be a old garden. On reaching the road Cheddar Gorge we had good views over Porlock Bay and we Sunday 17 May 2009. started our descent down Porlock Hill. The target It was a dull overcast day when members and species here was Asplenium obovatum fellow botanists (some of whom had come from (Lanceolate Spleenwort), we estimated the Oxford and further afield) met in the Reservoir population of this fern to be roughly 500 car park part­way up the gorge. As we gathered, a individuals. Goodness knows what the heath and noisy procession of bikers roared down the gorge, safety committee would say over the number of many of them wearing huge brassieres over their near misses with the oncoming traffic! black leathers or draped over their bikes! We On returning to the village, a small group set assumed that they were on a charity fun­run and it off to Alfoxton Wood to record at a second site was not until they had all passed by that we could for Tunbridge Filmy­fern. Excitingly the group start our sedate botanical walk down the gorge to also found a new Somerset location for see some of the plant specialities. The first stop Trichomanes speciosum (Killarney Fern). Not bad was to see the Welsh Poppy (Mecanopsis for the first meeting of the year! cambrica) in the small coach turning place for the Stephen Parker open­topped tourist bus. We found a few plants on rock outcrops, but it was not as plentiful as in Dunster Beach former years when it grew on the edge of the Saturday 2 May 2009. scree that descends from a small rocky crevice This was a joint meeting with the Wild Flower above. This scree cone is now periodically cleared Society. The beach at Dunster is well recorded away as a coach hazard, so part of the Welsh botanically, this allowed us to spend our time Poppy’s habitat is removed during this operation. recording with the GPS some of the rare and more Cheddar Gorge is reputed to be the most easterly interesting species. Only a true botanist can edge of its native range. appreciate brown mats of the recently dead Poa Walking further down the gorge to Horseshoe bulbosa (Bulbous Meadow­grass), at least we Bend, we recorded Scurvy­grass where it has long didn’t have to explain why we were on our hands been known to occur (Sole first recorded it here in and knees to members of the general public. In 1791). Cochleria pyrenaica ssp. alpina front of the famous beach huts and on our hands (taxonomy of the Cheddar population currently and knees again we counted the large population unclear and needs further work) was plentiful and 2 flowering profusely on rock ledges on the vertical unbroken sunshine! This trip to the seaside was cliffs. We searched for it along the roadsides planned very much as a sequel to last year’s walk where it was formerly very abundant, but found from Blue Anchor to Dunster, most of us catching none at ground level as most of the verges have the steam train at Bishops Lydeard, and with had soil bunds constructed at the base of the cliffs. Jeanne Webb joining us at Williton for the last leg We understand this to be to catch falling rocks or of the journey out to Watchet. Jeanne had worked to prevent cars from parking on the dangerous out our route for the day – no point leaving this bend, but it appears to have been the reason for a job to the leader, especially after last year’s steam decline in the population here. Other cliff fiasco – including a colony of Bithynian Vetch dwellers recorded on the steep cliffs were Lesser (Vicia bithynica), a ‘Rare Plants Register’ species Meadow­rue (Thalictrum minus ssp. minus), which Jeanne had discovered at Doniford earlier Orpine (Sedum telephium), and Slender Bedstraw in the spring. Apart from this, our aim was to (Galium pumilum). In a small grassy recess by the complete 1km record cards for ST0743 and side of the road lower down the gorge, we found a ST0843, plus a brief foray into ST0943 before very small population of Little Robin (Geranium picking up a return train from Doniford Halt. purpureum). Three flowers only were picked out To start with, as always, we seemed to make from amongst the larger flowered Herb Robert painfully slow progress – but there was a lot to (Geranium robertianum). record, and some of the plants were unfamiliar to At the back of the main coach park, just above us. The cliffs above the harbour were brightly the tourist shops and Show Caves, Narrow­leaved coloured with some lovely patches of Kidney­ Bitter­cress (Cardamine impatiens) was plentiful vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) and Yellow­wort in a small damp area of bare soil. We also found (Blackstonia perfoliata), along with Red Valerian a few plants on the opposite side of the road, the (Centranthus ruber) and several exotic shrubs – first time it has been recorded on the north side of obviously planted – including Escallonia the gorge. The rain got heavier as the morning (Escallonia macrantha), Shrubby Orache progressed, so we took shelter in a small café (Atriplex halimus) and Broad­leaved Oleaster taking up all the seats. We steamed up their (Eleagnus macrophylla). We were able to windows and dripped water on their floor whilst identify these shrubs by leaf alone, thanks to John we had coffee & snacks, then went out to continue Poland’s excellent new Vegetative Key to the our botanical searches. We borrowed a ladder to British Flora – the first time that some of us had climb up to a small ledge behind the café, to see if had the opportunity to use it ‘in anger’. the Bloody Crane’s­bill (Geranium sanguineum) We took the steep path up on to the clifftop, and was still present. Privet scrub had been cut back, where it gets ‘squeezed’ between the cliffs on one but there was no trace of the crane’s­bill. Only side and the railway on the other we were one small dead spike of Ivy Broomrape delighted to find a tiny patch of path­side Vicia (Orobanche hederae) was found in an area where bithynica. This was a new site to Jeanne, and there once were dozens of spikes. Heavy rain quite possibly the first ever record of this species curtailed the field visit, but we showed Cheddar in ST0743. Pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) to one of our We then descended into Helwell Bay, noting an visiting botanists by scrambling up the cliffs on abundance of Pale Flax (Linum bienne) by the the north side of the gorge. It was too early for cliff path, and walked along the shore to flowering, but the few clumps we found seemed Doniford, recording as we went. There was much healthy. Two of us continued to botanise when ‘non­botany’ to distract us: rock strata forming an the rest of the party had departed, visiting Ram’s impressive succession of terraced pavements, in Cliff to see large clumps of Cheddar Pink growing places thick with ammonites, and House Martins in profusion on low vertical cliffs away from the gathering mud from the oozing clay cliffs behind. main gorge, and a small dewpond at Wellington On the cliffs, with the aid of Rose Murphy’s new Farm where Thread­leaved Water­crowfoot handbook, some of us pondered over fumitories (Ranunculus trichophyllus) and Small Sweet­ and successfully identified Common Ramping­ grass (Glyceria declinata) were present. Despite fumitory (Fumaria muralis ssp. boraei), White the rain, this was a good meeting, but it seems Ramping­fumitory (F. capreolata ssp. clear that some of the rare species are under threat babingtonii) and Common Fumitory (F. from various operations in this very heavily used officinalis ssp. officinalis); while further east, but tourist honeypot. still in ST0873, we stumbled upon a large colony Liz McDonnell of Grass­leaved Vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia). Lastly, we were led by Jeanne to another, much Watchet to Doniford, Saturday 30 May 2009. bigger, patch of V. bithynica, growing at the We couldn’t have timed it better: the warmest day western end of ST0943 on a grassy bank close to of the year so far (26°C), and eight hours of where ‘The Swill’ reaches the sea. We also saw 3 Yellow­horned Poppy (Glaucium flavum) here, searching for Grapholita caterpillars, several and were tempted to continue eastwards along the larvae of ‘Greenweed Flatbody’ (Agonopterix shore – but thought better of it, instead heading atomella) were discovered. One adult was reared inland to ‘Doniford Halt’ to await our train. On a in captivity to confirm the identification. This grassy bank beside the path to the station we species used to be more widespread, but there are found Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor), currently only about six known British localities. while planted close to the northern/western end of Finally, a couple of months after our visit several the platform we saw a single fine specimen of adult Greenweed Weevils (Exapion difficile) were New Zealand Holly (Olearia macrodonta) – swept from seed­bearing G. tinctoria plants – a obviously planted, and ridiculously easy to first record for Somerset. identify using The Vegetative Key. With all these invertebrates to contend with, We ended the day thirsty and weary from the and cuckoos and nightingales ringing in our ears – heat, but with decent lists for at least two of the plus the worry of being unwittingly caught in the three 1km squares we had visited. Our day of cross­fire – it was hard for some of us to really steam had been great fun, and it was a particular concentrate on the plants. But we were soon pleasure to see V. bithynica in two new stations enjoying the first of a scattering of Greater (no pun intended). A special thanks to Jeanne for Butterfly­orchids (Platanthera chlorantha), one of making my role as ‘leader’, not for the first time, our ‘target’ species and ‘Near Threatened’ on the entirely superfluous! GB Red List. In all we found at least 30 flowering Simon Leach spikes of the orchid in 10 locations, growing either in scrub woodland or out in the open on Merryfield Airfield species­rich track verges and in the Genista Sunday 7 June, 2009. meadow. Amongst the other species of interest in What a wonderful day! This MoD site is a the meadow were patches of Meadow Thistle difficult place to access, very much off the beaten (Cirsium dissectum) and scattered plants of track, but several natural historians including Pepper­saxifrage (Silaum silaus), Southern James McGill, our guide for the day, have been Marsh­orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) and recording the wildlife here for many years. As a Corky­fruited Water­dropwort (Oenanthe result, this is, for example, one of the richest sites pimpinelloides). On C. dissectum we were for Lepidoptera in the county. The aim of our visit pleased to see Narrow­bordered Five­spot Burnet was to compile an up­to­date list of vascular moths (Zygaena lonicerae) accompanied, plants for the site, and in particular to check on appropriately enough, by the Burnet Companion the locations of some of the ‘target’ species to be (Euclidia glyphica). And in neighbouring featured in our county Rare Plants Register. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) bushes James The day got off to an unusual start. Before we showed us larval webs of the Small Eggar could begin recording we first had a hair­raising (Eriogaster lanestris). drive (reminiscent of Top Gear) across the airfield Late in the afternoon, we hurtled across to the to our ‘target’ area: an extensive block of semi­ other side of the airfield, Helena’s old ‘mini’ natural grassland, scrub and secondary woodland surprising everyone as it effortlessly reached 100 in 1km squares ST3319 and ST3419. Then, no mph (or so it seemed), before screeching to a halt sooner had we begun our recording than we within a stone’s throw of some rough grassland in stumbled into the middle of a group of 1km square ST3418. Here we found small camouflaged young men on army training colonies of two more of our ‘target’ species, manoeuvres; it wasn’t clear who was more Slender Tare (Vicia parviflora) and Yellow surprised, us or them! Vetchling (Lathyrus aphaca) – both ‘Vulnerable’ Returning to the botany, almost the first plant on the GB Red List – along with a nice ‘show’ of we set eyes on was a Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) flowering Grass­leaved Vetchling (Lathyrus – a good omen. We then headed off down a track, nissolia). the verges of which seemed to be particularly An excellent end to a splendid day spent species­rich, including surprising quantities of watching insects, dodging imaginary snipers’ Dyer’s Greenweed (Genista tinctoria). Several bullets, and driving dangerously – oh yes, and rare invertebrates depend on this species at recording a few plants too. We were, in fact, Merryfield. Two moth species had been recorded greatly impressed by the botanical richness of the here for the first time this year: first, in early April place, and were astonished to learn that the ‘Greenweed Tortrix’ (Grapholita lathyrana) had airfield perimeter has, as yet, no formal been found flying in afternoon sunshine over a conservation designation. In recent years the meadow area with abundant G. tinctoria. Just one wildlife here has survived more by luck than other colony of this species is known in Britain, at judgement, James told us; and following our visit, West Bexington in Dorset. Then in May, while we were appalled to learn that in early September 4 spilt grain had been dumped on part of the concentrate as we watched fork lightening, first Genista meadow, which thankfully the MoD out to sea, then suddenly behind us over the subsequently promised to remove. We hope that, church. Two members turned back; the rest tried under the watchful eye of James and others like to brave the sudden torrential rain, but soon took him, this site will get the recognition, protection refuge, huddled together in a pillbox for a while. and management it deserves. It is an One of the treasures of Berrow Dunes was extraordinary place, supporting a hugely Somerset Rush (Juncus subulatus), once so interesting fauna and flora. We thank the MoD abundant that it was visible on aerial photographs. for permission to visit it, and James for sharing it There have been no records since the SRPG with us. meeting in 1997 and the drainage of the reed bed has changed. Although he had no coat, Bob did Simon J. Leach have wellingtons and bravely volunteered to cross Southlake Moor the ditch and search the reed bed, encouraged by Saturday, 20 June, 2009. ten increasingly drenched spectators. A large This was advertised as a chance for the general patch of Narrow­leaved Everlasting­pea (Lathyrus public to visit Southlake Moor. The moor is a Site sylvestris) was admired on the edge of the reed of Special Scientific Interest, part of the Somerset bed, the first record of this species here for this Levels and Moors National Nature Reserve a decade. Sadly, no Somerset Rush was found and Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area and is wellingtons proved inadequate for the ditch after probably of international importance for it’s all. landscape and archaeology. It is a most important Undaunted, we set off to see the Lizard Orchids site with a wide range of nationally rare, scarce (Himantoglossum hircinum). They seemed a little and red list plants, not to mention a few European stunted, and were just passing their peak, but were protected species of mammal and a large still a splendid sight to lift the soggy spirits. As population of water voles. People would flock to we headed back to our cars, it stopped raining! I the site to see all of this, but NOT on the day of had been asked to look out for a particularly our visit. In fact only Simon Leach and I turned upright form of Common Broomrape (Orobanche up! We did walk along the road and recorded a minor subsp. minor var. compositarum), needed 1KM square. Our best find was a small population for a research project, and was delighted to find of Typha angustifolia (Lesser Bulrush) growing several spikes. J.E. Lousley may have seen this in an abandoned drinking trough and a single on “sandhills at Berrow” in 1928, although he plant of Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal erroneously called it O. picridis, but there have Orchid) growing on the bank of the River Parrett. been no other records for Somerset. Although our So not a complete waste of time! plans for a long balmy summer’s evening walk Stephen Parker went awry, some super plants were seen and quality records made. Our grateful thanks to Bob Berrow Dunes for a brilliant evening. Thursday, 25 June 2009 Helena Crouch It had been a fine day, but as twelve members headed for Berrow Dunes, the sky became a Godney Moor strange oppressive yellow and those arriving from Sunday, 28 June, 2009. the south warned of approaching storms. Bob Eight members started at the village hall for the Corns, from Natural England, had kindly agreed circular walk around the lanes and footpaths at to lead an evening walk at Berrow Dunes, to show Godney. This was a meeting to botanise in an us the treasures of this SSSI without troubling under­recorded area of Somerset and we recorded those using the golf course. Golfers were not a in four 1km squares on our visit. All the fields problem, but some members wished they had that we crossed were improved and species­poor. brought a coat! The main interest was in the ditches where species Before we set off, we checked the strange Bee such as Fennel Pondweed (Potamogeton Orchid (Ophrys apifera var. belgarum), which pectinatus), Whorl­grass (Catabrosa aquatica) was first found at Berrow in 2007. One specimen and Horned Pondweed (Zannichellia palustris was seen by the track running north from the ssp. palustris), Water­plantain (Alisma plantago­ church. By the time we arrived at the small pond aquatica), Nuttall’s Pondweed (Elodea nuttallii), west of the church, thunder was rumbling Greater Duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), and Fat ominously. Bob took us to see a fantastic stand of Duckweed (Lemna gibba) were found. Marsh Helleborines (Epipactis palustris) just The River Sheppey is a fairly swiftly­flowing coming into flower in damp grassland north of the water­body with a slightly different aquatic flora. pond. We counted just over one hundred Here Unbranched Bur­reed (Sparganium flowering spikes, but it was becoming difficult to emersum) was recorded, even though it was not 5 flowering. Other plants from the river included (Lithospermum officinale) and several plants of Gypsywort (Lycopsis europaeus) and Curled Musk­mallow (Malva moschata), a few of which Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus). An area where were white as well as the more usual pink. There soil had been dumped provided several casual was a magnificent specimen of black­flowered records such as Oriental Poppy (Papaver Hollyhock growing amongst the Buddleja and orientalis), Purple Crane’s­bill (Geranium x Wild Clematis at the edge of the old quarry track. magnificum), Upright Yellow­sorrel (Oxalis Rain curtailed the day, but we recorded in four stricta) and a garden Euphorbia sp. (as yet un­ different 1km squares to add to our Somerset named). One plant of Common Evening­primrose database. (Oenothera biennis) was recorded by the entrance Liz McDonnell to the village Hall. The afternoon concluded with tea and cakes in the garden at Annie’s Tearoom, Shapwick Heath NNR, Godney. Wednesday, 29 July, 2009. Liz McDonnell On what seemed like the wettest day of the summer, four of us gathered at Shapwick Heath Milton Hill, Wells NNR to monitor some recently introduced Sunday, 19 July, 2009. populations of Greater Water­parsnip (Sium Eight members and friends met in Ash Lane to latifolium). This ‘Endangered’ UKBAP species walk the footpaths around Milton Hill in an became extinct at Shapwick in the early 1990s. A under­recorded part of the county. This was a decision was made to attempt to re­introduce it to general recording meeting. We walked north up a the NNR, and on 1 December 2008 153 young narrow lane to a small area of common land. plants were ‘released’ into the wild, having been Although this was neglected and badly in need of grown from seed at Bristol Zoo from material cutting and grazing, there were several species of gathered at Southlake Moor SSSI. In all, twenty interest including Upright Brome (Bromompsis Sium plants were planted at each of seven sites, erecta), Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), and thirteen at an eighth site. Our purpose today Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) and Downy was to revisit these sites to record how many of Oat­grass (Helictotrichon pubescens). The rain these plants had survived their first eight months fell as we made our way to the woodland on in the wild. Milton Hill. This is an Ash/Field Maple ancient It was a dismal day, in more ways than one, woodland with species including Sweet Woodruff and we were disappointed that we only managed (Galium odoratum), Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non­ to re­locate four plants – three of them at The scripta) and Wood Millet (Milium effusum). Part Roughet (‘Site 4’), and one in a ditch to the south of this hillside has been quarried away leaving the of this, close to the line of the Sweet Track (‘Site huge disused and inaccessible Underwood 3’). We also located six plants (from the same Quarry. The smaller quarry to the north­west has cultivated stock) in a ditch on the neighbouring cut through the hillside leaving a narrow gash Hawk and Owl Trust nature reserve. These were which can be clearly seen from the Wells to planted out in the spring, apparently, and so Wedmore road. We explored this ‘split rock avoided the mid­winter ‘freeze’ – which could quarry’ which is now overgrown with trees and explain their apparently better survival. scrub, but which has a flat grassy level floor As a change from Sium hunting, we briefly through which a path runs. Nettle­leaved visited an area of ‘mire’ from which scrub had Bellflower (Campanula trachelium) was growing been cleared and where low­level grazing by on the vertical cliff faces. Whilst eating our cattle is being used to maintain the open lunch, we recorded Common Stork’s­bill conditions. Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) is (Erodium cicutarium), Squirreltail Fescue (Vulpia abundant in this area, and we saw thriving bromoides), Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis) colonies of Oblong­leaved Sundew (Drosera and Vervain (Verbena officinalis). Spurge­laurel intermedia), one of our ‘target’ species for the (Daphne laureola) was abundant in the shady Rare Plants Register and restricted as a Somerset areas here. From the quarry we walked up to plant to this particular corner of the Levels and Arthur’s Point finding species­rich grassland on Moors. And then, to our amazement, in the the way down. Here was Common Rockrose middle of it all, we found a tiny patch of White (Helianthemum nummularium), Hoary Plantain Beak­sedge (Rhynchospora alba) – the first (Plantago media), Wild Thyme (Thymus record at Shapwick, and for VC6, since 1976; and praecox), Crested Hair­grass (Koeleria a return from the buried seed­bank, perhaps? We macrantha) and Quaking­grass (Briza media). celebrated with mugs of tea as we tried to dry out We made our way back along Lime Kiln Lane back at the NNR office. recording a variety of hedgerow species. We In the afternoon, Steve and I quickly visited a found one specimen of Common Gromwell ‘string’ of Sium introduction sites alongside the 6 route of the Discovery Trail at the eastern end of Avon Gorge the NNR. These had been planted out in May by Saturday, 5 th September 2009. volunteers using ‘surplus’ plants left over from This was planned as a tour of the five new Sorbus the earlier plantings. Here, in another torrential taxa in the Avon Gorge and, appropriately enough downpour, we were pleased to find 25 plants at five of us met up for the excursion. While six locations. It was an upbeat end to a sodden examples of nearly all previously known Avon day. Gorge taxa, native and alien, can be seen on the Simon J. Leach Leigh Woods side from safely level paths, three of the four new hybrids are single specimens, one­ Bridgwater Bay offs: if you want to see them you have to be Saturday, 15 August, 2009. prepared to leave the beaten track. Climate change and Sea level rise are real issues We set off easily via the planted Sorbuses on for the people of Somerset. Bridgwater Bay is in The Plain and the dramatic trees at Stokeleigh the front line: it is no longer financially possible Camp viewpoint that frame the prospect of St to defend this area of land so in the very near Vincent’s Rocks and the Bridge – and a distant future the sea defences will be removed and the but definite view across the Avon of S. x sea will take back the land. As yet, we don’t know robertsonii (Robertson’s Whitebeam) below the what effect this will have on the plants of the area. Great Fault. This single hybrid of S. eminens This meeting was to make sure our records were (Round­leaved Whitebeam) x S. aria (Common as up­to­date as possible, so we can understand Whitebeam) was discovered by Ashley Robertson better what is at risk. in 2007 during his research into Sorbus DNA at Our first target species Althaea officinalis the University of Bristol, and named in his (Marsh­mallow) has been known in the location honour. It may well occur in Cheddar and the for at least a quarter of a century and as leader, I Wye Valley as well as elsewhere here, but this is was fully confident of finding it without a the only one so far to be established. problem, I had after all recorded the plant in Further round the hill­fort edge are nine S. 1998. None the less, it still took the party a good porrigentiformis (Grey­leaved Whitebeam), 15 minutes to find the single specimen in the reed probably planted. This small tree is a key player bed, we had walked past it at first, then been in Sorbus evolution: Dr Robertson’s research distracted by other plants. But find it we did and showed that S. eminens, the new S. leighensis so we moved further along the beach to discover (Leigh Woods Whitebeam), S. whiteana (White’s Atriplex portulacoides (Sea­purslane), never very Whitebeam) and S. wilmottiana (Wilmott’s common in Somerset. We found a small patch on Whitebeam) had all arisen from hybridisation the beach near the bird hides. On the extensive between S. aria and S. porrigentiformis, as well as stands of Elytrigia atherica (sea couch) we hybrids S. x robertsonii and S.x avonensis (Avon noticed an infestation of Claviceps purpurea Whitebeam) [sic]. (ergot) in the seed heads. Walking across the Sorbus x proctoriana (Proctor’s Rowan), the S. cracked mud polygons of one of the pools we aucuparia x S. scalaris hybrid, grows fairly recorded good numbers of Parapholis strigosa accessibly just over the top edge of Quarry 2. (Hard­grass). A small pond near the tower hide Sorbus aucuparia has 13­17 free leaflets, S. was partially covered with Ranunculus baudotii scalaris (an ornamental tree from China) from 21 (Brackish Water­crowfoot). to 33: Proctor’s Rowan is satisfyingly On returning to the small car park we drove the intermediate, with 19­21 leaflets, dark green short distance to Wall Common. Here Glaucium above and “strongly greyish­green” below. The flavum (Yellow Horned­poppy) was frequent location of its garden parent is not known. along the shingle ridge while in the trampled path­ We descended to river level via Lily Point, way a good number of patches of Trifolium past the site of abundant wild Convallaria majalis striatum (Knotted Clover) were found. (Lily of the Valley), with a brief diversion to a Marrubium vulgare (White Horehound) was small slope in Quarry 2 where Polygonatum scattered on Wall Common and the shingle ridge. odoratum (Angular Solomon’s Seal) flowers This area was also found to support a large reliably in May. The most accessible S. leighensis population of Bupleurum tenuissimum (Slender is by the river opposite the quarry entrance. Hare's­ear). This common is one of the areas that Southwards, overhanging the towpath near may suffer when the tide comes in; only time will Nightingale Valley, a S. x avonensis had been tell. discovered by chance in 2004 by Ashley Robertson and Tim Rich sampling a S. Stephen Parker bristoliensis (Bristol Whitebeam) and, as they thought, a nearby S. aria for DNA research. Its DNA, however, matched that of the type S. x 7 avonensis on St Vincent’s Rocks South – and away. Nearer Jacob’s Ladder, after a short maybe other similar trees here and elsewhere in v­ unsuccessful hunt for Prunella laciniata (Cut­ cs 6 and 34. More work is needed here, not least leaved Self Heal) at its known site, a weirdly to establish whether this is a species rather than cantilevered tree I had been uncertain about in occasional hybrid. It seems easily confused with 2006 again seemed very clearly to be S. S. leighensis, especially with shade­leaf samples. cheddarensis. Both new records were in shade One taxon to go – the pièce de resistance, dare with leaf­characters modified. I say?: the S. bristoliensis x S. aria hybrid, S. x After we descended Jacobs Ladder, officials of houstoniae (Houston’s Whitebeam), which does Cheddar Caves and Gorge very kindly allowed us seem, alas, to be a one­off sterile hybrid. Its to go up the old steps by the Rock­Sport hut for a leaves are sharp­lobed like those of S. close view of the only fairly accessible S. bristoliensis, but noticeably [sic] wider and more rupicoloides; we had to go up in twos, like tomentose. About 5m down a vertical face on the pilgrims, the pavement having been blocked off broken cliffs below the viewpoint, c. 10m above with cones. The holotypes of both S. eminentoides the cliff base, it’s best seen from the wide ledge and S. rupicoloides are on the cliffs above, to above it, only reachable via a choice of 2 slithery which access is both hazardous and restricted due scrambles down or, today, across steep, earthy, to the dangers to the public below from falling wooded slopes. A handline covered a bad step rocks. At present the more accessible examples of down the roots of an ash – and all the party made each are shaded, and mostly non­ it. Surprisingly, everyone got back safely to the flowering/fruiting. In contrast, the holotype of S. top though the (direct) path was strenuous. More cheddarensis is easily seen and easily accessed surprisingly, those who looked seriously weary (from behind), above Arch Rock on the low top of turned up the following week to tackle the higher Horseshoe Bend. Though a rather scrappy slopes of Cheddar. coppice, it had been chosen because of its L. Houston conspicuous position; there are much healthier­ Cheddar Gorge looking Cheddar Whitebeam maidens in the Sunday, 13 th September 2009. species! Fifteen of us met on a sunny Sunday morning, Altogether it was a very successful day. It was some from as far away as Essex and Lincoln, the first time I had tried leading a walk round principally to visit the 3 new whitebeams of Cheddar’s whitebeams: not only were all the new Cheddar. Sorbus cheddarensis (Cheddar species comfortably accessed, but their numbers Whitebeam), S. eminentoides (Twin Cliffs were increased. The two new S. cheddarensis took Whitebeam) and S. rupicoloides (Gough’s Rock the total population to 21+ and, more excitingly, Whitebeam) were first found when I was the population of the south side to three; and the surveying the Gorge in 2005 for the National total population of S. eminentoides now stands at Trust (S. cheddarensis) and in 2006 for Cheddar 16. It was a shame people didn’t linger so much Caves and Gorge and the Longleat estate; their over the several beautiful S. eminens and S. descriptions were published in Watsonia 27 in anglica trees along the way! August 2009. L. Houston At least 19 S. cheddarensis had been recorded, widely scattered but still all but one on the north Blackdown Hills (NT) side. The 15 S. eminentoides were all on the Saturday/Sunday 19­20 th September, 2009. south side, on the cliffs and slopes above Gough’s This was a wild Flower Society Meeting to which and Long Hole Caves at the west end of the SRPG were invited to come along. The full report Gorge; the 13 S. rupicoloides, again on the south of the meeting will be published in the WFS side, were mostly in a much more concentrated Magazine, here is a short extract …. cluster above Gough’s Cave. “Most valuably, on Day 3 we were joined by We set out straightaway for the cliff­top path two members of the Somerset Rare Plants Group, on south side, heading west to picnic above the one of whom did some serious recording along Pinnacles where we made a brief abortive search the way, while the other was in the team for the foliose lichen Solorina saccata. I had managing the Neroche Project. She explained recorded six S. eminentoides trees within easy how large tracts of mire had been lost due to the reach of the path, and tree No.1989 of the 2006 planting of conifers, and these were now being survey was refound without difficulty near the cleared in the hope of restoring the bogland. edge of a woodland patch with several large yews. Steve showed us a list of species that it is hoped Almost immediately another one was found in the will reappear, such as Eriophorum gracile same patch close by, I think by Mark Kitchen – (Slender cottongrass) and Drosera intermedia who then discovered what seemed unarguably to (Oblong­leaved Sundew). be an unsuspected S. cheddarensis a few metres 8 “Although we did not find these or other lost records, most of the square being across the river species in the newly re­establishing bogs, the act (in VC5). A single plant of Pepper­saxifrage of taking part in a search with experts for a (Silaum silaus) was a good find, followed by a serious purpose was in itself a valuable large patch of (somewhat dead) Corn Parsley experience. There were, however, noteworthy (Petroselinum segetum). It was a good finds such as Stellaria uliginosa (Bog stitchwort), opportunity to revise these uncommon Viola palustris (Marsh violet – leaves only), umbellifers. We also saw Stone Parsley (Sison Pinguicula lusitanica (Pale butterwort), and amomum). As we neared the edge of the square, a Scutellaria minor (Lesser skullcap).” small squeak heralded the discovery of our final Stephen Parker target species: Sea Wormwood (Seriphidium maritimum). Three patches were seen, the best on Dunball Wharf old brickwork on the sea wall. An impressive 106 Sunday, 18 October 2009 species were recorded in this small section of On a fine autumn day, twelve members assembled uncharted territory. Returning to our cars, some for a walk alongside the River Parrett. We set off members lingered on the central reservation of the through the industrial estate around Dunball A38 to see Narrow­leaved Pepperwort (Lepidium Wharf, finding an interesting rose beside the ruderale). In keeping with some of the other entrance. This was later identified as Sweet­briar treasures of the day, it was distinctly dead, but an (Rosa rubiginosa) and was a new 10km square exciting find nonetheless and a new species for record for this uncommon species. Some some of us. Despite the unassuming appearance members could not bear to watch as one peered of the area and the late season, this was a good gingerly over the edge of the wharf to record walk with several records of rare species updated. species growing in the stonework, including our Helena Crouch only Hart’s­tongue (Phyllitis scolopendrium) and Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus) of the day. A Avon Gorge single plant of Small­flowered Crane’s­bill Saturday, 31 October, 2009. (Geranium pusillum) was a nice find on some This was the last field meeting of 2009. A return waste ground, with Weld (Reseda luteola), to a familiar place for many of the SRPG. We Guernsey Fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis) and were also joined by a few WFS members on their Water Bent (Polypogon viridis) nearby. More last day hunt. From the parking place we made impressive was a tall stately Dark Mullein our way down a very slippery Nightingale Valley (Verbascum nigrum) flowering on a pile of sand to the Avon footpath. Heading towards Bristol, amongst dead stalks of Black Mustard (Brassica we recorded a good number of late flowering nigra). species. After lunch we visited a few of the Having exhausted the delights of industrial quarries. Libby Houston was kind enough to give wasteland, we set off along the riverside path, an impromptu lecture on the recent work she and with the promise of lunch once a target species others have carried out on the Sorbus species of had been found. Simon was soon prostrate in a the Gorge. (I was told later that Libby continued grassy hollow, searching for Bulbous Foxtail on after we had turned round and went back to our (Alopecurus bulbosus), which he found. It was cars, and she botanised until dark). not exactly at its best, but the bulbs were convincing and our first target species was Stephen Parker recorded. Lunch was taken sitting on a low sea wall, which seemed just the habitat for Sea Clover SANHS Associated Societies AGM (Trifolium squamosum). One tiny plant was Saturday, 10 th October 2009 discovered in fruit: another target species found. This year SRPG and SIG (Somerset Invertebrates A Clouded Yellow butterfly flew over – the first Group) offered to host this meeting, which was of the year for many of us. We continued to see held in the new Lifelong Learning Centre at the the same limited suite of saltmarsh species, but Peat Moors Visitor Centre at Shapwick. SRPG entering a new 1km square, another of our target and SIG displayed photos or information about species was discovered: Sea Barley (Hordeum their groups. The meeting was chaired by Chris marinum). Although also past its best, it could be Sidaway and after the AGM, he introduced the clearly distinguished from nearby Meadow Barley two speakers of the day. Steve Parker had (H. secalinum). We recorded Common Cord­ prepared a talk on the history of Shapwick SSSI & grass (Spartina anglica) in a new 10km square, NNR, but as he was not able to attend the which suggests that it is spreading inland up the meeting, Simon Leach gave the richly illustrated Parrett estuary. presentation. Steve had searched the Natural With excitement, we soon entered a third 1km England library and files for information square, which apparently had no previous VC6 including old photos of the reserve and of the 9 people who helped to secure the remnant heath basement of 26 Rivers Street, Helena J. Crouch and worked­out peat voids as a Site of Special and Fred Rumsey, VC6. Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve. Pontederia cordata (Pickerelweed) – Berrow Francis Farr­Cox’s subject for a talk was LiDAR Dunes (ST29195244), Sept., three or four plants (Light Detection and Ranging) which is a method at edge of pond on golf course, R.G. Corns (det. of detecting tiny and subtle differences in land Stephen J. Parker), VC6. Possibly planted. height. He produced amazing ‘photos’ of the Pteris nipponica (Table Fern) – Bath Somerset Levels which showed clearly old (ST75006453), 18 Dec 2008, five young plants in watercourses and field patterns beneath the basement between 34 and 35 St James’ Parade, current field pattern. The Somerset archaeologists Helena J. Crouch and Fred Rumsey, VC6. are studying these in great detail as they are a new Pteris umbrosa (Jungle Brake) – Bath source of valuable information regarding the (ST74796544), 17 Mar., one plant in basement of history of the Somerset countryside. We were 26 Rivers Street, Mark A.R. Kitchen and Clare taken on a short walk to see the site of the earliest Kitchen (det. Fred Rumsey), VC6. prehistoric trackway which was found by peat Smilax aspera (Common Smilax) – Cannington cutters at Shapwick, then looked briefly at several (ST28553955), 29 May, growing out of a wall, of the rare plants of Shapwick Heath including Stephen J. Parker (conf. Paul R. Green), VC5. Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris), Royal Fern Trapa natans (Water Chestnut) – Bridgwater (Osmunda regalis), Milk Parsley (Peucedanum (ST312359), 7 November, one plant at edge of palustre) and Great Water­dock (Rumex Bridgwater & Taunton Canal close to houses, hydrolapathum). At the end of the afternoon, Simon J. Leach and Stephen J. Parker, VC5. With most of the members took the opportunity for a Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes; last look at the Peat Moors Centre, which is due to possibly planted. close for the last time at the end of October 2009. Somerset County Council has withdrawn funding NEW VICE­COUNTY RECORDS for this interesting and educational centre, despite a long campaign to save it. Arum italicum x maculatum (Hybrid Lords­and­ Ladies) – Chilton Priory (ST37333898), 15 Liz McDonnell January, patch on E verge of Priory Road, with A. italicum, Ian P. Green and Paul R. Green, VC6. This is the third record for Somerset and believed PLANT NOTES 2009 to be the first for VC6 (although there are two records on the NBN, supplied by BRERC, both NEW SOMERSET PLANT RECORDS made in 1998 but not reported in The Flora of the Bristol Region). The following have been recorded new for Callitriche brutia var brutia (Pedunculate Water­ Somerset for 2009 unless stated otherwise: starwort) – Priddy (ST521522), 12 June, small amount on mud at edge of more northerly of two Armeria alliacea – Taunton (ST236244), 15 June, small ponds, Fred Rumsey, VC6. single plant in pavement outside 13 Trinity Street, Cordyline australis (Cabbage­palm) ­ Sand Bay self­sown from plant in adjoining garden, Simon (ST33126440), 7 September, two plants at top of J. Leach, VC5. Plant later destroyed when off­ dunes, on seaward side of fence opposite bus­stop, road parking bay was resurfaced. Helena J. Crouch and Margaret Webster, VC6. Cotoneaster atropurpureus (Purple­flowered Pistia stratiotes (Water Lettuce) – North Newton Cotoneaster) – Taunton (ST21702608), 17 (ST305314), 2009, in Bridgwater & Taunton January, single bush self­sown on top of wall, Canal at King’s Lock, where it is reported to have Paul R. Green, VC5. been for last 4 years, Environment Agency, VC5. Cyrtomium fortunei (Fortune’s Holly­fern) – Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth) – Dunball Ashton Court Estate, Bristol (ST55657205), 26 (ST3140), Oct., many plants scattered along June, c. 100 plants over an area 10 x 20m on margins of King’s Sedgemoor Drain from A38 wooded slope in the Summerhouse Plantation, bridge (ST311408) to M5 bridge (ST314410), Richard Bland (det. Helena J. Crouch), VC6. Environment Agency, VC6. Elaeagnus umbellata (Spreading Oleaster) ­ Sand Bay (ST33086412), 7 September, two plants on OTHER INTERESTING SOMERSET seaward side of fence at top of dunes, SE of RECORDS IN 2009 “Danger Sinking Mud” sign, Helena J. Crouch and Margaret Webster, VC6. Agrostemma githago (Corncockle) – Yeovil Polystichum tsus­simense (Korean Rock­fern) – (ST577173), 14 June, about thirty plants on made­ Bath (ST74796544), 22 May, one plant in up ground with imported soil and stone material, 10 Robert Osborn, VC5. First record for VC5 since Hoyles Road, Stephen J. Parker, VC5. Second publication of The Atlas Flora of Somerset. record for VC5 but probably planted. Anisantha tectorum (Drooping Brome) ­ Orobanche minor var. compositarum ­ Berrow Minehead Golf Course (SS9846), 29 May, many Dunes (ST29525204), 25 June, four spikes beside plants, Stephen J. Parker, VC5. Third record for gravel path S of church, Somerset Rare Plants VC5. Group, VC6. Also in two other locations on Coriandrum sativum (Coriander) – Regil Berrow Dunes: (ST29685160) one spike on golf (ST53726192), 27 October, on a heap of earth and course just E of “3” sign; (ST29605173) eight rubble at edge of a field, Margaret Webster, VC6. spikes on slope above golf course. First records First record for VC6 since 1979. for VC6 and county since 1923. (See also Plant Cotoneaster salicifolius (Willow­leaved Notes). Cotoneaster) – Coker Hill Bridge (ST50411343), Pistia stratiotes (Water Lettuce) – Bridgwater & 19 January, good­sized tree growing on top of Taunton Canal (ST316317), 26/27 September, road bank by bridge, Ian P. Green and Paul R. patch in the canal at Standard’s Lock, Hannah Green, VC5. Second record for VC5, the first Gibbons, VC5. Second record for VC5. Also being on the BSBI Vascular Plant Database for Bridgwater (ST312349 to ST297365), 7 SS84, recorded in 1996. November, about 50 plants scattered along c. 2km Cotoneaster sternianus (Stern’s Cotoneaster) – of the canal in four 1km squares, Simon J. Leach West Coker (ST5113), 18 January 2009, large and Stephen J. Parker, VC5. Third and bush self­sown at base of wall, Paul R. Green, subsequent records for VC5. Also Dunball VC5. Second record for VC5. (ST3140), Oct., many plants scattered along Crocosmia pottsii (Pott’s Montbretia) – Landacre margins of King’s Sedgemoor Drain from A38 Bridge (SS814362), 11 September, abundant on bridge (ST311408) to M5 bridge (ST314410), banks of River Barle, Helena J. Crouch and Fred Environment Agency, VC6. Second record for Rumsey, VC5. Second record for VC5 and VC6. county, but it is likely that other plants alongside Rhynchospora alba (White Beak­sedge) – R. Barle are also this species, not C. x Shapwick Heath (ST41554090), 29 July, seven crocosmiiflora. plants flowering in middle of field at Canada Cyperus involucratus – Wellington Lows, Helena J. Crouch, Simon J. Leach, Stephen (ST12922078), 18 September, one plant in a pond J. Parker and Gill Read, VC6. First record for at The Basins, Stephen J. Parker and Wild Flower VC6 since 1976. Society, VC5. Second record for VC5, Solanum rugosum (Buffalo­bur) – Taunton presumably planted. (ST206260), 3 September, disturbed ground by Cyrtomium fortunei (Fortune’s Holly­fern) – new roundabout, Mrs Frances Waddy (det. Helena Bath (ST75006453), 10 Nov., one plant in J. Crouch), VC5. Second record for VC5. basement between 34 and 35 St James’ Parade, Valerianella dentata (Narrow­fruited Cornsalad) Helena J. Crouch and Fred Rumsey, VC6. – Somerton (ST484265), 30 September, six plants Second record for VC6. in fruit in corner of arable field beside Watt’s Glaucium flavum (Yellow Horned­poppy) ­ Quarry Lane, John Poingdestre, VC6. First record Brean Down (ST295587), 14 December 2008, for this Endangered species in VC6 since 1998. forty to fifty plants or clumps, some of which Xanthium spinosum (Spiny Cocklebur) – Paulton have flowered, on sandy slope behind the bird (ST656568), 20 August, one plant appeared in garden, Robert S. Cropper, VC6. Third site found garden of 4 Gregory’s Tyning, almost certainly in VC6 in 2008, following a period of no records arriving with birdseed, Roger Oliver (det. Helena since 1992. J. Crouch), VC6. First record for VC6 since Isolepis cernua (Slender Club­rush) – Walton 1932. Moor (ST43347262), 1 October, six plants on bare mud beside ditch, Helena J. Crouch and Fred OROBANCHE MINOR Rumsey, VC6. First record for this area since var. COMPOSITARUM IN SOMERSET 1997; now only known from one other site in Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor) is currently VC6. regarded as having two distinct subspecies, subsp. Lathraea clandestina (Purple Toothwort) – minor and subsp. maritima, the former with two Muchelney (ST434234), 5 June, naturalised at the varieties recognised in Britain: var. minor and var. John Leach Pottery, John Poingdestre, VC5. compositarum. A third variety, var. flava, which apparently only differs in its lack of purple Third record for VC5. pigmentation, may best be considered a forma. Some Lonicera x purpusii (L. fragrantissima x yellow plants, such as those at Newport Docks, are standishii) – Wellington (ST14251991), 18 closer to subsp. maritima in some characters and may January. One plant in hedgerow surrounding be evidence of hybridisation between different races of playing field at junction of Webbers Close and O. minor (Thorogood et al., 2009). One of the targets 11 of our walk at Berrow Dunes on 25 June was from Cheddar. Known in the Cheddar area for over Orobanche minor var. compositarum, needed for 300 years, it has a few outlying sites. At Sand Point it research on the species by Chris Thorogood at the is known to be introduced and almost certainly also at University of Bristol. A total of 13 spikes were found, Brean Down. It was thought to be an introduction on in three sites on the dunes. high rocks at Brockley Combe, where it has not O. minor var. compositarum Pugsl. was first persisted. Populations at Draycott Sleights and described in 1940, distinguished from typical O. minor Rookham, known for over 100 years and 50 years by its usually denser inflorescence of paler sub­erect, respectively, have been variously considered to be narrower (3­4 mm) and more glabrous corollas. This introductions and hybrids. The newly found variety usually grows on Crepis capillaris or population lies between these two sites. Next year, Hypochaeris radicata; because of the similarity in host, Cheddar Pink populations are to be sampled under pale flowers and hairy filaments, it has often been licence, to be included in a molecular analysis of this mistaken for the extremely rare O. picridis. Most species in its European context. For us, this will be specimens seen of this under­recorded variety, which is particularly interesting with regard to those populations apparently endemic (although the species itself is of whose legitimacy has been doubted. The discovery of questionable native status!) have been from the sandy this completely new population, which could provide a soils of East Anglia and ecologically similar areas in geographical link between other outlying sites, could Surrey. There have been few recent records nationally not be more timely. and many of those may in fact be other somewhat Helena Crouch atypical forms of O. minor showing some, but not all, of the distinctive characters, for example sub­erect Indoor meeting – Fern Workshop corollas – a feature which occurs to an extent in all Saturday 28 th November 2009 fruiting plants of this species. An attempt by Chris The first of this winter’s meetings was held in our Thorogood to re­find material for molecular study in new venue at the Lifelong Learning Centre at eastern England in 2009, funded by the BSBI, proved unsuccessful. This made the Somerset discovery all the Shapwick NNR. Dr Fred Rumsey from the Natural more important. History Museum, who is also a member offered to In his description, Pugsley (1940) cited a range of lead the meeting and was an expert guide to the 74 specimens in addition to those listed as types. Within ferns, horsetails and clubmosses which have been this list he mentions plants from “about Brean, north recorded in Vice­counties 5 & 6. Of these, 10 have not Somerset”. Herb. Pugsley is now in BM and a single been recently recorded in Somerset and are thought to herbarium sheet bears three different collections, all be extinct, and 15 are non­natives or introductions. from the same area. The earliest was collected by Fred and other members brought fresh fronds or potted H.W. Pugsley himself from “Sandhills, Berrow, Som.” up samples of many of the taxa found in the county, so on 8 July 1897 and is clearly var. compositarum. Two that we could examine the differences between similar specimens, one of which has the typical dense, narrow, species. Fred explained the taxonomic problems rather erect corollas of this variety, were collected by relating to certain groups of ferns, introducing the term J.E. Lousley from “Sandhills, near Berrow, V.C.6” on apogamous to describe the development of an embryo 3 August 1923. The third specimen, found “On without fertilization; especially the development in Hypochaeris radicata, Burnham Sandhills, north some ferns of a sporophyte from the gametophyte Somerset” on 30 June 1935, lacks the distinctively without fertilization. We looked at fresh specimens of upright corollas and is not convincing material of this several species that Fred and Helena have recorded taxon. recently in basements in Bath including Adiantum The only past records of this taxon in Somerset are raddianum, Pteris multifida and Pteris cretica. Fred those mentioned above; it receives no mention in the brought beautiful herbarium specimens of nearly all the floras. Thus our record was the first unequivocal one taxa likely to be found in the county and showed us a since 1923 for a broomrape which, in Somerset, has selection of useful identification guides. I was only ever been found on a short stretch of the coast. particularly taken with a large format handbook to the Helena Crouch and Fred Rumsey ferns of France & Western Europe, which has excellent colour photos – Les Fougères et plantes alliés de Pugsley, H.W. (1940). Notes on Orobanche L. Journal of France et d’Europe occidentale by Remy Prelli (2001). Botany (London) 78: 105­116. The text is in French, but is useable by non­linguists Thorogood, C.J., Rumsey, F.J., Harris, S.A. & Hiscock, S.J. (2009). Gene flow between alien and native races of the too. This is a book to be recommended for all serious holoparasitic angiosperm Orobanche minor fern enthusiasts. (Orobanchaceae). Plant Systematics & Evolution 282: 31­42. Liz McDonnell

A NEW POPULATION OF CHEDDAR PINK Congratulations to our members Mark and Clare Kitchen who were presented with the Dianthus gratianopolitanus (Cheddar Pink) is the most Armstrong Award from the Gloucestershire Wildlife famous of the few species found only in Somerset. It is Trust in December 2008. This was in recognition of the botanical emblem of Somerset, voted the county their contribution of around 400,000 plant records to flower, used for the logo of Somerset Rare Plants GCER. We add congratulations from SRPG. Group and Somerset Botany Group, and is very pretty SRPG Contacts: Liz McDonnell and Steve with a glorious scent. Amazingly, this species was Parker. Please use the contacts link from any found at Gorge a completely new site this year, away webpage for more information. 12